DURHAM, N.C. — SportsMedia Technology, the Durham-based firm
that offers an ever-increasing number of ways to turn sporting events from
Wimbledon to the Super Bowl into tech showcases, is expanding to London. The
company also is promising a new technology to offer computerized control of
cameras at events.
Better known as SMT, the firm on Monday said it will be
staffing up with as many as 20 full-time people at the London operation.
SMT announced the expansion and forthcoming technology just
in time for the Wimbledon tennis tournament, where SMT technology is used for
replays, live statistics and graphics for coverage and more.
SMT also is prepping the launch of a new service called
“Eden,” which the company says will allow broadcasters to control
cameras at events without human operators. Eden has been under development for
some 30 months, according to the company.
“Opening this office in the U.K. represents a vital and
exciting step in fulfilling SMT’s broader global expansion strategy,” said SMT
founder and CEO Gerard Hall in the expansion announcement. “For years, SMT’s
European-based clients have shown keen interest in having direct access to
SMT’s products and services from within the convenience of their own geography.
SMT London will allow SMT to work in much closer proximity to our European
clients as we continue to develop ways to enhance, refine, and improve the
overall viewing experience offered to European sports broadcast consumers.”
Here’s how the company described “Eden:”
“SMT’s Eden technology will provide TV broadcasters
with a reliable option for covering full broadcast sports action using only
unmanned camera positions. SMT’ Eden platform uses SMT’s state-of-the-art
computer-vision engine and computer-decision algorithms to intelligently
control camera and lens servos to automatically track and capture all relevant
sports action without the need for dedicated camera operators.”
SMT technology recently was used during the NHL Stanley Cup
finals and horse racing’s Triple Crown. It’s also used at NBA, PGA, NASCAR, the
Masters and other events.
The company says its products can:
“track any sports entity in real time, including
tracking ball position and player position
“assist officials with line calling
“provide officials with tools needed to
efficiently and effectively review video to make official rulings”